Decathlon Enhances Retail Efficiency with RFID Technology

Decathlon uses “smart tags” to make shopping more convenient

When you go to Decathlon to buy things, you may not notice that every item in the store is attached with a special “small tag” – this is called an RFID tag. Don’t look at it as small, it is not simple, it is like installing a brain for each product.

Clerks no longer need to count goods

In the past, clerks had to count the goods on the shelves one by one. Now they only need to hold a barcode reader and scan it lightly, and all the information will be displayed on the screen. This is thanks to Decathlon applying RFID tags to every product and working with SML Group to generate a unique electronic number for each product. This way, the store can restock faster and is less likely to be out of stock, so customers are more secure in what they want to buy.

Improve safety and make shopping smoother

These tags can also be connected to anti-theft systems, which will immediately alarm if someone wants to take the product out of the store without paying.

Even cooler is that Decathlon has tested a new service called “Scan and Go” in the Netherlands. Customers can pay directly by scanning the product with their mobile phone, and then walk out the door with the product without queuing to check out. This function is provided by MishiPay, and after payment, the RFID tag on the product will automatically “turn off” and no longer trigger the alarm.

The future of retail stores is happening

Decathlon’s approach shows the new look of future stores: not only is shopping faster, but the staff is also more relaxed and the goods are safer. As RFID tag technology continues to advance, such as supporting EPC Gen2 V2 encoding and being able to print using thermal or thermal transfer methods, more retailers will join this ranks, making shopping simpler and smarter.